Traction mat



Oct. 20, 1936. J, TURULls 2,058,192

TRACTION MAT Filed April 7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gmmw fi Attorneys M Muza- J. TURULIS TRACTION MAT Oct. 20, 1936.

Filed April '7, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' v In vn [or @372 fitiZlZZIS Patented Oct. 20,- 1936 UNITED STATES.

PATENT} OFFICE" TRACTION MAT .John Turulis, Rockford, 111.

Application April '7, 1936, Serial No. 73,168

5 Claims. (Cl. 7238-14) This invention is a traction mat, and the object of the invention is to provide a device which may be used with facility and success by operators of motor driven vehicles especially in obtaining sufiicient purchase or traction to enable the operator to drive the car under its own power out of mud holes and the like.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view illustrating an application of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the mat.

Figure 3 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 1 and illustrating the manner of initially applying the mat.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through one end of the mat with the clip associated therewith.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through the mat, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the cleats.

Referring to the drawings in detail it will be seen that the improved mat indicated by the reference numeral 5 is formed from an elongated rectangular sheet of suitable material such as webbing, rubber, or the like. The sheet is reduced to the proper size preferably by folding the' sheet in the manner suggested in Figure 5 wherein it will be seen that opposite longitudinal edge portions of the sheet are folded inwardly as at 6 and the folded portions of the sheet then superimposed by'folding the sheet along 'its longitudinal median as at 1. Thus it will be seen that the mat 5 will consist of preferably four plies, and in folded condition the mat has secured thereto through the medium of bolt. and nut means or other fastening elements 8 cleats 9 and I0 respectively.

The cleats 9' are arranged on one side-of the mat 5 and in alternate relation to the cleats 6 that are disposed at the opposite side of the mat as shown. Cleats 9 and [0 may be formed of wood or other suitable material and extend transversely of the mat in suitably spaced relation as shown.

Also as clearly shown in Figure 1 at one end of the mat two of the cleats 9 are spaced relatively close to one another so as to insure sufficient initial traction for the vehicle wheel I I.

Also at said one end the mat 5 is provided with transversely spaced eyelets l2.

For detachably securing the said end of the at to the wheel ll there is provided a resilient substantially U-shaped clip l3 formed of wire or are adapted to straddle the tire of the wheel in a manner clearly shown, the sides of the clip l3 5 being suitably shaped at their terminals to conformably engage the side walls of the 'tire and thus insure a positive engagementof one end of the mat with the wheel.

In actual use when the vehicle becomes stalled the mat 5 is brought into use by passing the sides of the U-shaped clip l3 through the eyelet I2 and then engaging the clip with the tire casing as shown in Figure 3. The mat 5 is extended forwardly or in the'direction of travel of the vehicle and when power is applied to the wheel the wheel will roll onto the mat 5 and obtain suflicient purchase to permit of the vehicle being driven out under its own power from themud hole, snowdrift or the like. 20

When not in use the clip l3 may separate from the mat 5 in a manner thought apparent and the mat 5 then rolled compactly for storage. In this connection, however, it will be understood that it will not be necessary to remove the clip I 3, and when not removed the clip may be used as a center or core and the mat rolled upon the closed end of the U-shaped clip for storage.

It is also to be understood that while the mat has been described as being formed of a single sheet folded into a four ply structure that a single sheet of suitable dimensions and thickness may be used, it being sufllcient that the sheet of one ply thickness be durable andafford suitable traction.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is: v

1. In a traction mat of the character described, an elongated flexible member, transversely disposed cleats positioned at opposite sides thereof, and fastening means passing through thememher and the cleats for securing the cleats to the member, said member being provided at one end .with a pair of spaced apertures and a U-shaped longitudinal series at opposite sides of said strip;

said cleats being longitudinally spaced, and bolt means passing through all four plys of material and said cleats for securing said cleats .to said strip and securing said strip in folded position,

and the cleats on one side of said strip being 'arranged in staggered relation to the cleats on the opposite side of the strip.

4. A traction mat consisting of a relatively wide elongated sheet of fabric folded toprovide a relatively narrow four-ply strip, cleats arranged in longitudinal series at opposite sides of said strip, said cleats being longitudinally spaced, and bolt means passing through all four plys of material and said cleats for securing said cleats to said strip and securing said strip in folded position, and the cleats on one side of said strip being arranged in staggered relation to the cleats on the opposite side of the strip, and a U-shaped clip on one end of said strip adapted to straddle a pneumatic tire.

5. A traction mat consisting of a relatively wide elongated sheet of fabric folded to provide a relatively narrow four-ply strip, cleats arranged in longitudinal series at opposite side of said strip, said'cleats being longitudinally spaced, andibolt means passing through all four plys of material and said cleats for securing said cleats to said strip and securing said strip in folded position, andthe cleats on oneside of said strip being arranged in staggered relation to the cleats on the opposite side of the strip, said strip at one end being provided with eyelets, and a substantially U-shaped resilient clip having side portions adapted to pass through said eyelets and to straddle a pneumatic tire casing for detachably connecting one end of said strip with the casing.

JOHN TURULIS. 

